USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 36
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Mr. Wilson was born in Center township, a mile and a quarter west of the city limits of Ottumwa on the Eddyville Road, July 30, 1864, a son of Prier S. Wilson, who for many years was a leading farmer of Wapello county, where he became the owner of an excellent farm of four hundred acres, situated on sections 10 and 15, Center township. He was born in Monroe county, Indiana, July 22, 1838, and came of Irish ancestry, although the family has been represented on this side of the water for many generations. The father and grandfather of Prier S. Wilson were both natives of Kentucky and made farm- ing their life work. In the year 1849 Prier S. Wilson arrived in Wapello county, but after a brief period removed to Van Buren county. In 1852, however, he returned to this county and suc- cessfully engaged in farming. In 1860 he purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of land, constituting the nucleus of the old homestead farm, to which he afterward added from time to time until his possessions aggregated four hundred acres. In 1862 he built his first house, also erected a large barn fifty by one hundred feet and other outbuildings for the protection of grain and stock. A number of years afterward he erected another resi-
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dence and subsequent to that time built a third house. He brought his land to a high state of cultivation, harvesting about four thousand bushels of grain annually and also raising cattle and hogs on an extensive scale. Splendid success attended his efforts as farmer and stock dealer, and he also embarked in the real-estate business, buying and selling farms.
In 1858 Prier S. Wilson was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Stephenson, and to them were born five children: Nancy, Laura E., Albert D., Emery M. and T. H., all now living with the exception of the last named.
Albert D. Wilson resided at the place of his birth until May 15, 1899, or for a period of thirty-five years. He then removed to his farm one-half mile west of Ottumwa and made his home there until January 15, 1913, when he took up his abode at his present place of residence, just outside the city limits at No. 2002 West Second street. He now rents his farm of two hundred acres, which is situated on sections 3, 10 and 15, Center township. For many years he there conducted dairy farming, having been associated with his father and brother in the dairy business, while for about thirty-five years he was alone. At one time he kept about eighty cows for dairy purposes, at which time he was in partnership with his father and when alone in the business he had twenty-five cows. His interests were carefully conducted, and his unfaltering enterprise and unabating energy were the salient elements in his success. He has ten acres of land in his home place, and he also owns a number of other pieces of prop- erty in the city, having made judicious investments in real estate, wherefrom he now derives a gratifying annual income.
In 1884 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Amy F. Graves, who was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, November 28, 1862, a daughter of O. C. and Harriet F. ( Humphrey) Graves. Her father was born in Independence, Jefferson county, Missouri, in 1833, and the genealogy of the family gives the ancestral records in the United States and in England back to the thirteenth cen- tury. O. C. Graves came to Wapello county in early childhood in company with his parents and passed away in the home now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Wilson on the 8th of March, 1913. He was one of eleven children, who had but limited opportuni- ties in youth, and he worked his way through college by setting type. All of his life he was a printer and editor, being connected in an editorial capacity with a number of different papers. He was a man of very decided views, outspoken and fearless and did
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not hesitate to sign his name to his writings, never hiding behind the commonly used editorial "we" of the present day. His first wife died in 1864, and he afterward married again. His chil- dren were Horace L., who died at the age of nineteen years; and Mrs. Wilson. Mr. Graves was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and in early life joined that denom- ination, but while a student at Antioch College, he became an investigator of spiritualism and in later life ardently supported that belief. He made the golden rule the leading principle of his life and never lost an opportunity to do good.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born seven children: Fred D., of Moline, Illinois, who married Theresa Burns and has three children, Mildred, Darrel and Elfreda; Albert H., of South Ottumwa, who married Rose Mielkey and has two chil- dren, Harold and Merle; Horace R., of South Ottumwa, who married Bertha Lang; Oliver Clyde, who wedded Florence Hendrickson ; and Raymond P., Harriet and Edith, all at home.
Mr. Wilson is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the county. His life has been a busy, active and use- ful one, and the energy and determination which he has dis- played have enabled him to overcome many difficulties and obstacles. He worked persistently and energetically while improving his farm and conducting his dairy business and now is living practically retired upon his small but attractive place at the outskirts of Ottumwa, enjoying the well earned rest which has come to him.
JAMES F. KNOX.
For almost a half century James F. Knox has been a resident of Center township and for twenty-seven years he has resided upon his present farm on section 32, where he owns one hundred and thirty-seven acres of rich and productive land. There are good improvements upon his place and the well tilled fields indicate a life of industry, perseverance and determination. Iowa numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred near Belknap, in Davis county, October 19, 1856, his parents being William and Sarah (Hare) Knox, who were natives of Northern Ireland and were of Presbyterian faith. They were reared on the Emerald isle and Mr. Knox crossed
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the Atlantic to New York when twenty-one years of age. He was employed in the eastern metropolis at the trade of a weaver for a time and afterward removed to Steubenville, Ohio, where he followed the same business. In the year 1850 he arrived in Lucas county, lowa, where he worked at his trade until 1861. With the outbreak of the Civil war his patriotic spirit was aroused in behalf of his adopted land and he enlisted from Bloomfield as a member of the lowa Gray Beards, or the Thirty- seventh Infantry Regiment. He thus served for three years on active duty and made a most creditable military record. Follow- ing the close of hostilities he engaged in farming and in 1866 removed to Wapello county, owning a small place in Center township. His political allegiance was always given the demo- cratic party, but he never sought nor desired public office. He died in Center township in 1884 at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife, surviving him for a decade, passed away in 1894 at the age of eighty years. They were always loyal to the faith of the Presbyterian church, in which they held membership. Their family numbered seven children: Joseph, who became a recruit at Bloomfield and served during the last eighteen months of the war with Company C., of the Third Iowa Cavalry and passed away in 1882, leaving a widow and four children; Sarah and Margaret, who died in infancy; Margaret, the second of the name, who became the wife of W. A. Carter and now lives in Minnesota; Eliza, the wife of T. C. Peck, of Nebraska; Wil- liam, who died at the age of eleven years; and James F.
The last named has been a resident of Center township since 1866, with the exception of two years spent in Adams township and a year and a half in Nebraska. He was a little lad of but ten summers when the family home was here established. He is today the owner of one hundred and thirty-seven acres of arable land on section 32, Center township, and has remained upon this farm for twenty-seven years. The result of his care and labor is seen in highly cultivated fields and good buildings, always kept in repair. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the cultivation and care of the crops and his business methods are productive of excellent results.
Mr. Knox has been married twice. In 1883 he wedded Hannah M. Scully, who was born in Massachusetts, and died in this county in 1901. There were five children of that union : Joseph, who is living in Ottumwa; Anna, the wife of John Young; Sarah A., a teacher of this county; Eva, who died at
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the age of eighteen years; and John, who follows farming. In May, 1907, Mr. Knox was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary S. Chisman, a widow who had six sons: Carl, Wilbur, Austin, Paul, Harold and Herbert, the last two being at home. Unto the second marriage of Mr. Knox two children were born: Hazel and Ellis, but the former died at the age of thirteen months.
In his political views Mr. Knox is a stalwart republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles of the party, for he believes that its platform contains the best elements of good government. He is serving as one of the trustees of his town- ship, being the incumbent in the office for the fifth year, his reelection indicating how faithfully he has served the people in that connection. There are no unusual events in his life history, no spectacular phases. It has been through the careful per- formance of his daily duties and his loyalty in citizenship that he has been firmly established as a representative resident of this district.
LUTHER HITE.
Luther Hite was one of the pioneers of Wapello county, passing away on his home farm near Ottumwa, April 20, 1913, at the patriarchal age of eighty-five years. He was an indus- trious farmer, a self-made man who acquired his earthly posses- sions by his own efforts. When he died he owned a valuable three hundred acre farm-the outward evidence of years of arduous labor and good business management.
Luther Hite was born in Greenfield, Ohio, February 10, 1828, a son of John and Elizabeth (Ware) Hite, natives of Nel- son county, Virginia. The father was born May 11, 1799, and the mother July 3, 1804. They were early settlers of Ohio, the mother passing away in that state, September 29, 1840. Her husband subsequently came to Wapello county, Iowa, where he owned a farm upon which the Jefferson school in Ottumwa now stands. In fact he donated this site for school purposes. He later went to Clarinda, Iowa, where he died March 8, 1879. He was twice married and there were five children born to the first union and four to the second.
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MR. AND MRS. LUTHER HITE
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
Luther Hite was reared under the parental roof and re- ceived his schooling in Ohio. In 1849, when he had reached his majority, he decided to seek the opportunities of the middle west and came to Iowa where he devoted his energies to farming. He led a quiet and industrious life, steadily improving his land, erecting new buildings and making his farm one of the best of his neighborhood. He gradually added to his holdings and at the time of his death owned three hundred acres of most valu- able land. He always followed up-to-date methods and in the management of his enterprise showed good judgment and busi- ness ability. All of his possessions were acquired through his own efforts, and there is great credit due him because of his industry and perseverance in attaining a substantial position in life.
Mr. Hite was twice married, his first union being with Miss Elizabeth Monroe, who was born April 30, 1829, and died in Ottumwa. They had four children: Elizabeth, deceased, whose birth occurred October 2, 1853, and who married W. G. Smith; John, who was born November 26, 1856, and died April 12, 1880; Rosa, who was born April 1, 1860, and died in 1861; and Frank, who was born August 1, 1862, and is an agriculturist of Jefferson county, Iowa, residing near Eldon. He married Bertha Acton and has two children, Harold and Mary. On April 6, 1876, Mr. Hite married again, this union being with Miss Elizabeth McCune, who survives him and now resides on the home place. They had one child, Hervey W., born on the homestead June 15, 1879. There he has resided all his life and now operates the farm. On February 17, 1904, he married Nellie Fern McElroy, who was born in Wapello county, April 21, 1886, and is a daughter of John McElroy. To this union have been born two children, Susie Helen and Lewis Luther. Mrs. Elizabeth (McCune) Hite was born in Ireland, September 7, 1851, a daughter of John and Eliza (Crighton) McCune, na- tives of Scotland, who were the parents of four sons and four daughters. They emigrated from the land of Erin to America, settling in Ohio when Mrs. Hite was yet a child. Before the Civil war they came to Iowa, making their home in Wapello county, where both passed away. In this connection it may be of interest to mention that Mr. Hite's mother, both of his wives, his sister and a daughter were all named Elizabeth.
Mr. Hite was a republican, quietly supporting that party and always discharging faithfully his citizen's duties. He often Vol. II-25
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gave support to valuable enterprises but had no taste for public office. He was a devout Presbyterian and a charter member of the First Presbyterian church of Ottumwa. He died April 20, 1913, and with him passed from the stage of life one of the best beloved men in the county and one who had been of much use to his fellow citizens. His many friends cherish his memory as that of a man who was guided by the highest purposes in life.
JOHN LANCEY.
John Lancey, who has departed this life, was well known in Richland township and Wapello county and at his death left behind many warm friends who esteemed him highly for his sterling traits of character. He was a native of Devonshire, England, born November 25, 1840, and was a son of Philip and Fanny Lancey, who were also natives of the same country, in which they spent their entire lives. They had a family of seven children, two of whom are yet living in England.
John Lancey was reared and educated in that country. He had no special advantages at the outset of his career, but he possessed the substantial qualities of energy and industry and upon these he builded his later success. Ere he left his native land he was married to Miss Eliza Colkins, who was born in England and is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Colkins, who were likewise natives of Devonshire that country, where they remained until called to their final rest. They had a fam- ily of nine children, three of whom survive.
It was on the 3d of August, 1862, that Mr. Lancey was mar- ried, after which he removed with his young wife to Wales, where he remained for more than two decades, or until 1884, when they sailed for the United States. They did not tarry on the eastern coast, but made their way at once into the interior of the country, settling at Kirkville, where they remained for two years. Mr. Lancey carried on coal mining for two years and then purchased a farm of one hundred and forty-two acres on section 20, Richland township. This he at once began to develop and improve, erected good buildings and added many modern equipments and accessories as the years passed on, including the latest improved machinery.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lancey were born twelve children : Edward, Mary A., William and John, all of whom have passed away; James, who follows farming in Richland township; Mary Ann, at home; Elizabeth, the wife of Davis Orr; Thomas, living in Ottumwa; Margaret, the wife of John A. Fosburg; Edward and David, both living in Ottumwa; and Katharine, the wife of David Truman, of Monroe county.
The death of the husband and father occurred November 10, 1907, and he was laid to rest in the Kirkville cemetery. Many friends, as well as his immediate family, mourned his loss, for he had proved his worth as a man and citizen during the years of his residence here. Mrs. Lancey still owns the old home farm, upon which she resides with her daughter. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Kirkville and, like her husband, she has many warm friends in this part of the state, where she has lived almost continuously since coming to America in 1884.
I. SELLARS.
I. Sellars is a prosperous farmer of Wapello county, owning a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Richland township, to the cultivation of which he devotes his entire attention. He was born on this farm, December 13, 1844, and is a son of James and Mary (Parks) Sellars, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Pennsylvania. They came to Wapello county in the early '40s and homesteaded a farm, where they built a log cabin with the proverbial stick chimney, the puncheon floor and the door with a latch string. There they lived until their death, the father passing away in the 'sos, his widow surviving him for about a half century, dying in 1898. In their family were nine children, of whom six are living. Upon the father's death Mrs. Sellars married Seth Fairchild, and to this union two children were born, both of whom are living.
I. Sellars operated the home farm for his mother and the other heirs until the death of the former and then bought the old homestead, on which he has ever since lived. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 29, Richland township, all of which is in a high state of productivity. He
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has erected substantial buildings and has always followed the most modern and up-to-date methods. The latest machinery can be found upon his farm, and he does everything in his power to facilitate labor and increase the yield of his fields. He is a typical modern agriculturist, progressive and ever ready to embrace new ideas and has set up standards which are profitably followed by other farmers.
In 1907 Mr. Sellars married Mrs. Ellen Daugherty, a native of Ohio and a daughter of I. W. Spencer, who was born in that state. By her first marriage Mrs. Sellars had one daughter, Laura, who makes her home with her mother and stepfather. Mrs. Sellars is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and interested in its work. Her husband is public-spirited and has participated in the public life of his township. He is a republican and is devoted to his party. He has always been interested in the good roads movement and for two terms has served as road supervisor. All who know Mr. and Mrs. Sellars are agreed as to their high qualities of character and render them the esteem and respect which is their duc.
S. K. ALDERDICE.
S. K. Alderdice, living on section 11, Center township, is a well known farmer of his locality, owning an excellent tract of land of sixty-four and a half acres adjoining the corporation limits of Ottumwa on the north. This farm is devoted to the raising of all kinds of fruit and Mr. Alderdice enjoys an enviable reputation as a horticulturist. He was born in Knox county. Illinois, March 10, 1857, and is a son of Jacob and Caroline (Keyser) Alderdice, who were natives of York county, Pennsylvania.
The father attended school in his native county until he reached carly manhood and subsequently entered the cooperage business, in which he won notable success, becoming in time owner of the largest cooperage establishment in the United States, employing over two hundred men. In 1852 he sold out and went to Illinois, where he carried on farming. In 1862 he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a mem- ber of Company G, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until July 5, 1865. He participated in
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nine engagements and at all times proved his valor and his loyalty. Following the war he removed to Barton county, Missouri, and in 1874 came to Iowa. Subsequently he returned to Missouri, settling in Hamilton, where he passed away, his death occurring in 1887 when he was sixty-seven years of age. Following the war he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and found farm work most congenial. Naturally he made a success of this and thus provided a comfortable living for his family. His wife survived him for almost two decades, passing away in Ottumwa in 1905 at the advanced age of eighty-four years. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daughters : Mary, the deceased wife of Captain Alexander Coleman; Katie, who died at the age of two years; William, living in Richland township; two sons who died in infancy; Anna, the wife of Martin Roland of Chicago; S. K., of this review; J. W., living in Ottumwa; and Frank, whose home is in Polo, Missouri.
S. K. Alderdice remained with his parents until 1871, accom- panying them on their removals to Missouri and to Iowa. In that year he came to Ottumwa in order to attend school, living with a brother-in-law. A little later he returned to Missouri, where he joined his parents and in 1874 he returned with his parents to this state, the family remaining for six years, when, in 1880, the parents removed to Caldwell county, Missouri. S. K. Alderdice assisted his father in the farm work and early learned valuable lessons concerning industry, economy and per- sistency of purpose.
In 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Addie V. Struble, of Hamilton, Missouri, who was born in Livingston county, New York, October 25, 1861, a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Stevenson) Struble, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ireland. The father took his family to the south after the war and remained for two years, at the end of which time he returned to New York. A year later he removed to Battle Creek, Michigan, and afterward made his way to Hamilton, Missouri, where Mrs. Alderdice remained until her marriage. Her father passed away in New York while on a visit in that state, and his widow now resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Alderdice came to Ottumwa, where he engaged in the retail implement business for eleven years with J. R. Burgess. During the succeeding twelve years Mr. Alderdice was upon the road, representing the
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McCormick interests, and at the end of that time he purchased his present place, comprising sixty-four and a half acres of rich and productive land lying to the north of Ottumwa. Here he is engaged in the cultivation of all kinds of fruit, including apples, peaches, pears, grapes, plums and berries. He has made a study of those best adapted to soil and climate and produces excellent varieties of fruits, for which he finds a ready sale. He also carries on general farming. His experience as a horticul- turist has made him authority upon matters relating thereto, and his efforts have been crowned with most gratifying success.
Mr. and Mrs. Alderdice became parents of nine children : Ned K., who is traveling for the International Harvester Com- pany and makes his home at Cherokee, Oklahoma; Fay, a resi- dent of Mystic, Iowa; Max, who died at the age of thirteen months; May, the wife of Charles E. Leonard of Ottumwa; Samuel, who died at the age of thirteen months; Harry, William and Dewey, all at home; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Alderdice gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and by appointment is serving as assessor of Center town- ship. He is well and favorably known. He possesses many attractive social qualities which render him popular, and his business characteristics are such as have gained for him respect, confidence and good-will.
J. W. DIXON.
In the period of early manhood J. W. Dixon became a resi- dent of Ottumwa and through the years that followed was active not only in this city but in the commonwealth, studying closely the questions and issues that affected the welfare of city and state and giving earnest support to such measures as he believed would prove helpful in the work of public progress. A native of Penn- sylvania, he was born in 1832 and was a representative of one of the old and highly respected Quaker families of that state. J. W. Dixon, following his graduation from the law school at Pough- keepsie, New York, removed to Iowa in 1856 and soon became a prominent factor in connection with the history of the state.
Before leaving Pennsylvania Mr. Dixon was united in mar- riage to Miss Sallie Ann Vernon, who was likewise born in Penn- sylvania. The Vernons came originally from Cheshire, England.
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Of Mrs. Dixon it has been said : "She was possessed of rare traits of character and her friends spoke of her as unselfish to a fault."
Mr. Dixon opened a law office and represented his district as senator in the ninth and tenth general assemblies and as repre- sentative in the fifteenth and sixteenth general assemblies. His statesmanship and the ability with which he handled many im- portant problems did much toward shaping the public policy of Iowa concerning legislation at that period. He was the opponent of ex-Governor Gear for speaker of the house in a contest that continued for two weeks. His marked intellectual strength and broad knowledge, his independence and originality of thought and his pleasing and persuasive oratory made him a man of marked influence, and he left the impress of his individuality upon the history of the commonwealth. His position was never an equivocal one. He stood loyally for what he believed to be right and when convinced that he was following a correct course neither fear nor favor could cause him to change.
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